The decades of negative media coverage about countries from the Global South has increased stereotypes about immigrants from these countries. The North Rhine Westphalia region in Germany has received the highest share of refugees and continue to be the region with the highest share of immigrants. Düsseldorf is the capital city of the region, and could lead the way in changing the social, political and economic narratives about immigrants in the region, and the country at large.

The Dusseldorf Hub Pen Pal project has been designed to promote exchanges between school children from Düsseldorf and those from developing countries. The target in to reach coutries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. School children write letters to each other and learn about each other´s country and culture.

The goal is to promote cultural exchanges between people from Düsseldorf or Germany as a whole and developing and conflict-ridden countries to reduce negative stereotypes about people from the Global South in Germany. These small changes we believe can grow into larger changes to transform immigration narratives in Germany and Europe as a whole.

This is also an educational project, aimed at improving English language skills, communication and writing skills of students. 300 students have been reached from 2018 - 2020.